An artist can only be evaluated after he's dead. At the 11th hour he might do something that will eclipse everything else.

- Van Cliburn

The Steinway piano - with its beauty and power - is the perfect medium for expressing the performer's art, drama and poetry.

- Van Cliburn

The brick of my life is music, but the mortar is faith.

- Van Cliburn

Everything I chose, I had already played in concert. For the competition, I wanted to pick pieces I know that people like.

- Van Cliburn

I have never known anyone from Texas, no matter how far they go or what they do, who isn't proud of being from Texas.

- Van Cliburn

But classical music is not entertainment, and I feel viciously strong about that. Classical music is forever. Entertainment is something that is here…

- Van Cliburn

I'm not a success, I'm a sensation.

- Van Cliburn

If you hold onto the beauty and inspiration and the clarity that is music, you will have an anchor, you will not be too far swayed by what the world …

- Van Cliburn

Music is like painting in sound. You take it into your inner heart and never lose it. It's eternally mysterious.

- Van Cliburn